Overview: FTI Enhances Efficiency and Safety in $4.1M Swift Prepared Foods Project with Stellar Construction
FTI’s strong relationship with general contractor Stellar Construction led to a $4.1 million project for Swift Prepared Foods at their Columbia, Missouri, facility. The FTI team routed power and assisted with the installation of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) equipment for processing and packaging prosciutto and salami.
To meet the customer’s requirements for a clean and easily expandable facility, FTI installed stainless steel wireway and basket trays across the site, reducing conduit drops and runs. By working with the virtual design construction (VDC) team to create a clear visual model of the electrical wiring layout, FTI facilitated quicker customer approval and increased project profitability by minimizing labor-intensive tasks. This approach also enhanced safety by identifying clear pathways for different trades, reducing obstacles during installation.
Challenge: FTI Ensures Timely Completion of Food and Beverage Projects with Efficient Planning and Pre-Installation of Wireway and Baskets
For many of the food and beverage projects that FTI undertakes, the location of equipment and conduit drops must be planned before the equipment arrives. With equipment coming from five different countries, reviewing OEM drawings proved challenging as many were not written in English. Additionally, the shipment process often took months, with equipment sitting at port until clearing customs. Given these challenges and delays, it was crucial to minimize startup time once the OEM equipment arrived. The field team worked efficiently to install all wireway and baskets before the equipment’s arrival, ensuring the project stayed on schedule.
Solutions: FTI Ensures Project Success with Effective Planning, Rigorous Installation Checks and Innovative Meltric Plug Solutions
Effective planning was crucial to this project’s success. FTI project superintendents collaborated with Stellar Construction weeks before work began, planning the installation and preordering necessary parts and equipment.
To minimize startup delays, the field team conducted a thorough point-to-point checkout to validate the installation. This meticulous process involved checking everything from cable inspection and labeling to ensure correct positioning before panel energization. This combination of planning and rigorous checks significantly contributed to the project’s success and reinforced trust with Stellar Construction.
An innovative approach was the use of Meltric plugs instead of traditional hardwired connections for mobile heavy equipment like conveyors or mixers in food processing. This switch enabled swift equipment relocation or cleaning, reducing downtime and expediting production resumption. By delivering innovative and comprehensive solutions, the customer could start production three to four weeks ahead of schedule.
